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Obituaries

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times-shamrock file
Robert Hemphill, the Army captain who commanded the real-life Bravo Company under which film director Oliver Stone served during Vietnam, died Sunday in a fire at his Covington Township home.

COVINGTON TWP. - A man who "was how you'd want people to be," died in an early morning fire Sunday in a remote area of Northern Lackawanna County.

Robert Hemphill, 69, of Covington Township, a decorated retired Army infantry lieutenant colonel, community volunteer and author, was killed when his two-story home on Freytown Road became engulfed in flames. He died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation, according to Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.

Hemphill's wife Carol, was not home at the time of the blaze. She reportedly was on a humanitarian trip with the Rotary Club. Officials held off identifying Hemphill until his wife could be notified of his death.

Hemphill was deeply involved in the community through organizations from the Rotary and Masons to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was slated to become Rotary district governor in 2013 and was former commander of the John J. Michaels VFW Post 5207 in Daleville.

"He woke up every day with a sense of purpose," Kevin Duffy said. "He was a loyal friend and patriot - living the military code."

After meeting Hemphill through Rotary, Duffy of Moscow, came to call him a friend. The two had dinner together at the Fox & the Hound on Saturday.

"He was how you'd want people to be," Duffy said.

Retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Hemphill was awarded a Purple Heart from Vietnam combat wounds, a Silver Star for gallantry in action, and four Bronze Stars with Vs for valor in combat.

Donnie Hart, who is building a home next to the Hemphill home, considered his new neighbor, whom he had known for three years, a hero.

"He was a good man," Hart said. "I think he was a hero for what he gave to our country. He was a humble guy. He should be remembered and respected as a good American and a good community man."

Hemphill wrote "Platoon: Bravo Company," which portrayed his time as an Army captain in Vietnam. Film director Oliver Stone was under his command in Vietnam from Oct. 1, 1967 to Feb. 18, 1968. Stone later directed the movie "Platoon." Hemphill wrote "Platoon: Bravo" in reaction to the Stone film, taking exception to the film's portrayal of American troops. Hemphill said the troops in his platoons displayed bravery and heroism and were too busy being soldiers to get into the kind of trouble depicted in the film.

Friends and associates agree that for Hemphill, the sense of duty carried over to the community. When an older woman with no family was ill, Bob and Carol Hemphill made sure she was cared for in the hospital, took care of her dog, and helped her get set up at home to convalesce, Duffy recalled.

"He recognized a duty to his country and duty to his fellow man," Duffy said. "He was larger than life, yet had no false bravado."

According to his author biography on Amazon.com, Hemphill grew up in Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1964 and a master's degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins University in 1973. He served in the U. S. Army from 1964 to 1989, retiring as a lieutenant colonel of infantry.

He would do anything, any time for a veteran, recalls Bill Lamond, John J. Michaels VFW 5207 post commander. Hemphill was always willing to help, to visit ailing vets, or to speak to school children or community groups about patriotism and the military.

"I looked up to him, we all looked up to him," Lamond said. "We are in shock."

The fire at the Hemphill home started in the dark of night in the isolated area, and may have burned for an hour or two before being reported by a PPL crew in the area, said Covington fire Chief Brad Jones. By the time fire crews got there at about 6:30 a.m., the home was burned down into the basement foundation, Chief Jones said.

A business run by the Hemphills, The Woodlands Stable and Tack Inc., was a significant distance away from the blaze and neither animals nor property were harmed at the stable. But the Hemphills' dog, Harley, died in the blaze.

The Dunmore state police fire marshal unit is investigating the fire.

The VFV and American Legion Post 257 in Gouldsboro are collaborating on a memorial service, Lamond said.

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

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